Written by the Pro-Tow Team
Serving Washington State and parts of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and British Columbia
Fleet operators know breakdowns are stressful. But breakdowns on narrow, remote mountain roads? That’s a whole different level.
Pro-Tow by FleetEasy specializes in fleet truck towing and semi-truck recovery. We help commercial fleets stay moving across the entire Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.
One of this summer’s most challenging recoveries took place on a narrow Idaho logging road, where a propane truck slipped off the edge and became dangerously stuck. The confined space, unstable terrain, and remote location required thoughtful planning, multi-unit coordination, and hours of careful maneuvering. We dispatched our Spokane tow trucks for this propane truck recovery.
Here’s what happened:
Navigating a Steep, Remote Mountain Access
In this case, reaching the truck was almost as challenging as recovering it, especially when we had to get our own tow trucks in there!
According to the operator:
“The drive into the site itself was already a challenge, with long, steep climbs that transitioned from asphalt to dirt logging roads and, finally, to extremely narrow mountain trails.”
When the team reached a point where equipment could no longer safely proceed, they continued on foot and walked nearly a mile down to assess the situation. We are fully committed to helping our customers out of these stressful situations!
Once they saw the scene, several hazards immediately stood out:
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- A large crack in the roadway directly behind the truck
- Ground stability concerns that made heavy equipment placement risky
- Road width that was barely wide enough for a single vehicle
- No space to deploy outriggers
- Dense brush and limbs that were blocking access
- Sunset approaching
With safety the top priority, the team postponed the recovery until daylight, regrouped, and developed a detailed plan.
A Two Unit Truck Recovery Plan
The next morning, the Pro-Tow team met on-site to walk through every scenario and determine the safest strategy. It quickly became clear that this job needed two recovery units.
Two Trucks, Two Approaches
The first Pro-Tow HD wrecker approached from the upper trail, backing down the mountain edge. The second came in a back trail, having to travel about five miles of steep, narrow off-road terrain. Each unit would play a critical role in moving the truck from both the front and rear.
Hours of Positioning and Trail Clearing
Getting the trucks into position was slow.
The operator of the first unit spent nearly two hours clearing branches and brush with a chainsaw, inching down the cliffside until the rotator was perfectly positioned. Daylight faded, but work continued safely into the night as both units reached their anchor points.
Team Pro-Tow blocks the trail after clearing a route to the truck recovery.
Coordinated Winching from Both Directions
With the second unit rigged at the rear and the first positioned at the front, the team used multiple sections of the line to move the truck forward. A catch line was secured to a tree to keep the dual tires from sliding toward the edge.
With careful, steady winching, the propane truck was finally brought back onto stable ground—without further sinking or damage.
Truck Recovery Ends, the Mechanical Work Begins
Recovering the truck was only part of the job. Once on level ground, Team Pro-Tow attempted to start the vehicle, but it wouldn’t fire.
A quick inspection revealed that no fuel was reaching the engine. This was likely because air had gotten into the fuel system. Additionally, the truck’s safety systems may have tripped while in that leaning position all night.
The truck also required a driver access code before its onboard systems would allow the engine to engage. This was a remote location, but our trucks are equipped with satellite high-speed internet. This allowed us to speak with our Spokane dispatch and have the customer retrieve the code.
Once the code was entered, the technicians re-primed the fuel system, cleared the air from the lines, and successfully restarted the truck.
Getting Everyone Safely Off the Mountain
ith the propane truck running, the team staged each unit at the landing area, then worked in controlled steps to get every vehicle off the mountain. A Pro-Tow Spokane team member arrived to finish the hookup, remove the driveline, and prepare the truck for transport.
From there, the convoy returned to the yard, refuelled, and cleared the call.
Why Fleets in the Pacific Northwest Trust Pro-Tow
This recovery is a strong example of why fleets choose Pro-Tow for Spokane towing, multi-state response, and complex heavy-truck recoveries. When a truck becomes stranded in a dangerous location, you need a team that:
✔ Understands heavy-duty recovery physics
✔ Can operate safely in tight, unstable terrain
✔ Brings multi-unit coordination when needed
✔ Communicates clearly with supervisors, customers, and dispatch
✔ Provides both recovery and mechanical assistance
✔ Has the tools and technology to stay connected
From steep mountain trails in Idaho to the busy freight corridors of Washington State, Pro-Tow by FleetEasy is ready to support your fleet with professional, safe, and reliable towing and recovery services.
Read more stories like this one in Pro-Tow’s Recovery Blog.
